Philanthropy Friday: New Directions Career Center

NDCC is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization that assists individuals, especially women, in the midst of transition. They serve a diverse population from different social, economic, and educational levels and aid them in attaining and maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

At its inception in 1980, New Directions Career Center (NDCC) was the only organization dedicated to career development for women in central Ohio. The Center is a change partner, endorsing and supporting efforts of individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, paid employment, and increased independence. Skills gained at the Center are useful at work and home. Clients are empowered to knock down barriers to employment, face challenges to job retention and open doors to career advancement. NDCC programs also build capacity to be resilient in the face of the changing job market. The organization walks its clients, from wherever they are to where they want to go. In its 30-year history, more than 60,000 lives, including multi-generational families, have been touched.

Sometimes knowing exactly what the organization does and how it changes lives comes directly from the testimonies of its clients.

“At New Directions Career Center, I learned to believe in myself. I had time to dream. In fact, I was required to dream. I faced my fears, and came up with all sorts of dreams. I learned new skills. I was among women, other participants, who saw wonderful things in me, things that I couldn’t see because of an enemy I faced – low self-esteem. Fortunately, the licensed counselors gently guided me to a place where I could begin to celebrate my own self-worth.

Through Placement Services, I began to explore professional possibilities. The Placement Specialist guided me to a temporary service, which allowed me to earn an income as I decided what out-of-state options to pursue. I continued with regular visits, garnering support and expertise, until I accepted my dream job . . . in Hawaii.

The journey to paradise has not been easy. It required me to release a marriage with a partner whose actions did not honor me. It required me to realize that paradise does indeed exist within me. Thank you, New Directions Career Center. ”

Services Offered

New Directions Career Center offers a variety of programs and workshops including:

• Career Development Programs – Licensed counselors and career development experts oversee programs.
  • New Directions -The agency’s cornerstone program, “New Directions,” is a four-week program for women in transition designed to reduce barriers to satisfying, long-term employment and to guide clients in development of a career plan that leads to economic self-sufficiency.
  • Advanced Career Techniques – This group program focuses on everything from resume writing and job search strategies to interviewing and negotiation skills.
  • Creating Career Options – This group program focuses on assisting individuals explore professional alternatives and includes personality testing, exploration of career resources, networking and developing a realistic plan for change.
  • Bridging the Digital and Professional Divide – The Center also offers classes for women at their zenith, age 55 and beyond, who desire to work their passion and maintain self-sufficiency in the second phase of their adult lives. Program components of this extensive career search class include computer basics, on-line resumes and job search skills, self-marketing including professionalism and interviewing techniques, and on–the-job relationships focusing on communication as well as conflict management in today’s workplace
• Job Placement Services – Individuals who have completed one of the Center’s programs may access Career Placement Services. Placement Services supports individuals through private consultation to reach their professional goals. Possible areas of assistance include: networking, mock interviews, informational interviews, job postings, employer introductions, shadowing experiences, current job postings, job search strategies, educational options, etc.
• Individual Career Counseling – NDCC makes individual career counseling sessions available to clients in need of emotional support through the job search. This service is provided on a sliding fee scale for program graduates.
• Workshops – NDCC offers monthly workshops, which address a variety of topics including financial literacy, communication skills and life-long learning. These workshops are made possible through the generous contributions of grant partners and corporate sponsors.

To register for a program click here or call 614. 849-0028 and ask to speak to a Career Counselor about setting up an orientation session.

Supporting the Center

Fundraising:

The NDCC’s funding comes from a variety of sources including funding from the city of Columbus, grants from numerous community, corporate and family foundations; individual gifts from friends of the Center; fees for service; and fund-raising events conducted by the Center and other groups that wish to support the mission.

The Center has a variety of fundraising opportunities, the Circle of Friends Annual Campaign, Women of Promise, the Center’s signature fundraising event and a variety of special events hosted throughout the calendar year. Online donations are always accepted. NDCC will also be hosting an Accessory Party on November 1st at the Center. Admission is $20. Call Linda Danter for tickets at 849-0028 ext. 106.

Volunteering:

NDCC is a relationship-based organization. In any given year, it relies on 250 or more volunteers providing over 2,000 hours of service in roles, such as: program faculty, guest speakers, committee members, board members, fund-raisers, event planners, office workers, etc. To ensure that the agency executes the best programs and services for its clients, the Center has been board-governed since its inception. Its board of community partners and business professionals is diverse by race, gender, religious and ethnic background, sector representation and skill sets. If you are interested in volunteering Contact Elspeth Willoughby at 614-849-0028, ext 107 or ewilloughby@newdirectionscc.org.

For more information about New Directions Career Center visit www.newdirectionscc.org/NDCC/
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Philanthropy Friday is a feature article by Michele Savoldi that will highlight a Columbus area non-profit organization every other week. For more nonprofit information follow Michele on Twitter at @cbusimpressions and @inkindconnect.